Counting machine having means to prevent operation when more than oneor no keys are depressed in the same key row

ABSTRACT

A business machine data entering and checking system in which a solenoid, is provided for each digit position in the keyboard of the machine. Each solenoid has an armature which is attracted by the solenoid when activated and thereby sets a member for cooperation with the corresponding key stem. An actuating mechanism controlled by the machine thereafter actuates each member which has been set to affect the corresponding key stem. The machine also includes permanent-magnetic means capable of maintaining each armature in each one of two positions, an activated and an unactivated position. Either the armature can consist of a permanent-magnetic material or every solenoid can be provided with a core which has permanent-magnetic properties, thereby obviating the use of mechanical pawls arranged to maintain the armatures in distinct activated and unactivated positions.

United States Patent [191 England et al.

[75] Inventors: Gosta Roland England, Stockholm;

Rolf B. G. Israelsson, Solna; Mats E. 'Mattsson, Sollentuna; Claes-Goran Lindelow, Taby; Sven-Erik Maxe, Jakobsberg, all of Sweden 73] Assignee: Svenska Datareglster AB, Solna,

Sweden [22] Filed: June 30,1971 {21] Appl. No.: 158,273

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data July 3, 1970 Sweden 9274/70 [52] U.S. Cl...... 340/365 R, 178/17 R,- 197/98 [51] Int. Cl. H04q 3/00 [58] Field of Search 340/365; 197/98;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,856,130 10/1958 Woodwardetal. .L ...340/365 [451 July 17, 1973 Baer et al. 340/365 Veldkamp 340/365 [57] ABSTRACT A business machine data entering and checking system in which a solenoid, is provided for each digit position in the keyboard of the machine. Each solenoidhas an armature which is-attracted by the solenoid when activated and thereby sets a member for cooperation with the corresponding key stem. An actuating mechanism controlled by the machine thereafter actuates each member which has been set to affect the corresponding key stem. The machine also includes permanentmagnetic means capable of maintaining each armature in each one of two positions, an activated and an unactivated position. Either the armature can consist of a permanent-magnetic material or every solenoid can be provided with a core which has permanent-magnetic properties, thereby obviating the use of mechanical pawls arranged to maintain the armatures in distinct activated and unactivated positions.

21 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PAT I JULY/i975 I ENTED- 3.747, 090

sum 1 or 5 PATENTEDJUHYIQB 3,747,090

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v PATENTEBJUL 1 H915 sum u [1F 5 PATENTEuJm. 71912 SHEET 5 [IF 5 COUNTING MACHINE HAVING MEANS TO PREVENT OPERATION WHEN MORE THAN ONE OR NO KEYS ARE-DEPRESSED IN THE SAME KEY large amount of energy is needed to depress each key' stem. Therefore, proportionately big electromagnets are needed which are expensive, require a large space in the keyboard, produce proportionately high heat. The hits or knocks from their cores on the elements they engage are strong and difficult to control.

Devices are further known which electrically read out or emit information from a counting business machine, this information consisting of digit values in the totalizers of the machine. Some devices of this kind are arranged on the machineat a place remote from the keyboard, some require complicatedcontact arrangements to function satisfactory and some comprise lamp and photocell to electrically readout or information Most such devices necessitate completion of at least one machine cycle before the checking can be performed and/or are often arranged on the machine remote from the keyboard. If the device is mounted within the keyboard complicated, generally mechanical arrangements are required. for performing the checking.

Devices are also known which prevent depression of more than one key in one key row in a counting business machine. Generally such devices can not also detect whether no key at all has been depressed in one key row. Furthermore devices of this kind are space requiring and/or complicated and therefore the use thereof has been limited. The device according to the present invention sets aside the disadvantages with which previously known devices are impaired and comprises a solenoid for each digit position in the keyboard of the machine each solenoid cooperating with an armature which is attracted by the solenoid when the solenoid is energized. The attracted armature sets a member for co-operation with the pertaining key stem and an affecting means controlled by the machine will thereafter actuate each member which has been set to affect depress the pertaining key stem.

Due to the fact that each solenoid only needs to operate to attract an armature but which does not perform .the work of depressing an associated key stem and,

thus, only indicates whether depression has been performed or not, a simple, reliable and space saving device has been accomplished.

The invention further comprises permanent mag netic means being capable of maintaining each armature in each one of two positions, i.e., one activated and one unactivated position. The armature may consist of either a permanent magnetic material or every solenoid be provided with a core which has permanent-,

magnetic properties. As a result mechanical pawls which must be arrangedin order to maintain the armatures in distinct activated and unactivated positions are avoided.

The device according to the invention also includes means to prevent machine from being started when an attempt is made to depress more than one key or no key stern in one and the same key row (order). This is accomplished by an arrangement of ten key stems in each order, each key stem is being provided with two steps which are operated by activated and unactivated armatures so that the key stems are set to different positions. These positions are sensed by a checking device connected to the starting device of the machine.

In the present invention there is also included a device for reading out information stored in the totalizers; of the machine. The armatures of the solenoids in the keyboard can be energized to set into activated positions via a transferring device. Only one of the armatures in each order can be activated during a machine cycle, this armature representing the value stored in the corresponding order in the totalizer. When an armature is activated the induction of the associated solenoid is changed. When, thereafter, an electric circuit senses the solenoids it detects the difference in inductance and can therefore produce signals representing the 'valuestored in the totalizer. The device for electric read out of the information stored in the totalizer can be used for so called sum check, for instance, when the machine is used as a terminal and a central information storing unit or a computer remote from the terminal receives information read out from the machine in the fonn of electrical pulses. If the sum of certain pieces of information sent to the information storing unit during a day, for instance, is wished to be checked the totalizer (so called grand total totalizer) in the machine, which during this day also has stored the information, can be read or zeroized whereby the transferring device according to the invention activates the armatures representing this information and whereby the electrical circuit, which senses the change in inductance, emits pulses representing the information stored in the totalizer to the information storing unit where this information is compared with the sum of all pieces of information directly sent to the information storing unit during the day. It should be noted that the totalizers in the machine can be mechanical or electrical and when using electrical totalizers the pulses emitted therefrom can be allowed to directly operate the solenoids. Further, in the device according to the invention there is an ele-- ment on each key stem. This element can be used for checking whether an account number or something similar has been correctly entered, the element cooperating with the solenoids in the key board. Said elements one on each key stem, can also be used in connection with the cash register being used as a terminal to which data are manually inserted for subsequent forwarding to a central unit in the form of a computer or the like.

The invention will be more evident from the following description in connection with the appended drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a cash register comprising the devices according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view in section along line 22 in FIG. 1 and shows in a side view the devices for entering, reading out and checking information;

FIG. 3 is a view in section along line 33 in FIG. 2 showing the devices according to FIG. 2 from above. Furthermore, some parts have been deleted in this figure in order that parts which are essential for the invention shall be more evident;

FIG. 4 a-d shows in detail a start control device according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows the transferring device according to the present invention foruse when information is electrically read out from the totalizers in the machine;

FIG. 6 shows an electric coupling circuit for input and output of information in accordance with the present invention.

Referring now to FIG. 1 this figure shows a cash register 2, Le. with a keyboard 4 and a window 6 through which the result of the performed transactions can be read on indicators 8 arranged inside said window. On keyboard 4 there is mounted a further keyboard in the form of a unit 10. Keyboard unit 10 comprises an outer casing 12 and is mounted to an upper keyboard plate 14 (FIG. 2) of keyboard 4 by means of any suitable locking means (not shown).

Keyboard unit 10 shown in the figures comprises four key rows or banks, the three of which to the left in FIG. 1 consisting of amount banks and the one to the right in FIG. 1 consisting of a mode of operation bank. In each bank there are ten keys.

In FIG. 2 there is shown the amount bank, at the extreme right in FIG. 1, which comprises keys T0-T9 which are designed to be depressed manually and/or electrically in order to enter any of the digits 0-9 in one of the decades of one totalizer of the cash register, via differential setting means which will be described below. It should be noted that the two other amount banks and the mode of operation bank are designed in essentially the same manner.

In each bank there is a U-formed bail 18 extending over the whole keyboard and in each end being formed as a plate 180, and 18b. Plates 18a, 18b and there-fore bail 18 are supported by shafts 20, 22, 24 and 26 which are fastened to the end walls of keyboard unit 10 (only one, 28 in FIG. 3, is shown).

Within each bail 18 there are ten solenoids S0-S9 fastened by means of screws 30, which constitute the cores of the solenoids. In the upper and lower sides of bail 18 (FIG. 2) armatures 32 are supported in such a manner that upper projections 32a are supported in rectangular holes in the upper side of bail l8 and lower projections 32b are supported in holes (not shown) in the lower side of ball 18. Each armature 32 can thereby be rocked around a line drawn through the supporting points of projections 32a and 32b in bail 18. A third projection 320 on each armature therefore can be set into two different end positions with respect to a projection 34a on key stem 34 on the associated key T depending on whether the pertaining solenoid S is activated or not. When solenoids S are not activated armatures 32 take up the position shown in FIG. 3, Le, the armatures are at a distance from their solenoids. When any of solenoid S is activated it will be attracted by the associated armature 32.

In each key bank there is a slide 36 extending over all solenoids S. Each slide 36 is in contact with the upper side of one bail l8 and receives a reciprocating movement each time keys T shall be depressed in an electrical way by means ofa cam disc 38 for each slide. Cam discs 38 are fastened to a shaft 40 which is rotated clockwise in FIG. 2 when an electric motor 42, which is mounted within casing 12, is energized. The rotating movement of shaft 40 is transformed, via cam discs 38 and via cam followers 44 provided with rolls 46, to a reciprocating movement of slides 36, the cam followers co-operating with a recess in each slide. Each slide 36 is provided with ten rectangular holes 36a in which projections 32a are supported. Further, each slide 36 is provided with a pin 48 to which is fastened one end of a spring 50. The other end of spring 50 is connected to a pin 52 in the upper side of bail 18 (FIGS. 2 and 3). Each slide is also provided with a slot 36b in order that the longish movement of slide 36 shall not be prevented by pin 52.

After a solenoid S in each key bank has been activated, which is performed by a device which will be described in more detail below, and the associated armature 32 has been attracted by a solenoid S, due to the armature having been rocked counterclockwise in FIG. 3 around projection 32a from its home position shown in this figure, wherein the armature is in contact with core 30 in the solenoid which is situated beside the solenoid to which this armature belongs, in the nearest lower order, motor 42 will rotate shaft 40 and thereby, via cam discs 38 and cam followers 44,'release slides 36 for movement to the right in FIG. 2 by means for springs 50. As a result of this all armatures 32 will receive a movement clockwise in FIG. 2 because projections 32a in the rectangular holes 36a in slides 36 are moved to the right in FIG. 2 around the supporting points of projections 32b in bail 18. This has the result that projections 320 on the armatures 32 which were not attracted by associated solenoids S will be moved downwards in FIG. 2 and thereby can not affect projections 34a of key stems 34 (see also FIG. 3). Projection 32c on the armature 32 in each key bank which has been attracted by the associated solenoid S will also be moved downwards and, because projection 320 in this attracted position is just over projection 34a on key stem 34, projection 320 will depress this key stem. The lower edge of key stems 34 is in contact with additional key stems 54 which are mounted in the keyboard and co-operate with the differential setting means of the cash register (these means will be described below). The reason why each key stem consists of two parts 34 and 54 is that the keyboard unit 10 can easily be removed from the cash register.

Springs 50 achieve, as has been described above, movement of slides 36 to the right in FIGS. 2 and 3. The advantage gained thereby is that neither slides 36 nor armatures 32, or any means co-operating with them, are deformed or cracked, when slides via the armatures shall depress key stems 34, 54, if, for instance, more than one armature by mistake has been activated or any other fault occurs. Springs 50 are thus dimensioned so that they are only able to depress normally activated armatures 32 but prevents depression if any kind of blocking arises.

After a key T in each key row has been depressed (the reason why always one key in each key row must be depressed will be further described below) slides 36 are restored to the left in FIGS. 2 and 3 by cam discs 38 against the force of springs 50 whereby all armatures are restored to their home positions shown in FIG. 2. Thereafter, the armature 32 in each key row which has been attracted by the associated solenoid S is restored. Therestoration is performed by a restoration slide 56 in ach key row which is provided with a projection 56a for each armature 32'and which is turnably but not slidably mounted on a shaft 58 fastened to plates 18a, 18b. In its left end slide 56 is provided with a yoke 60 to which is'fasteneda roller 62 which is affected by a bulge'38a on cam disc 38. Just before shaft 40 has been turned a completerevolution clockwise the bulge 38a will thus actuate slide. 56 and turn it around shaft 58 via roller 62 and yoke 60, whereby a projection 56 alums the associated, attracted armature 32 clockwise in FIG. 3 which thereby is restored to its home position.

As has been previously described each armature 32 can be setinto two different positions, i.e., a home position (FIG. 3) and one activated (attracted) position. In order to maintain armatures 32 in their two different positions no special means are needed according to the present invention. The maintenance is accomplished by the fact that cores 30 are manufactured from a material which makes it possible to attract armatures 32 very easily by the solenoids S, i.e., gives good conditions for the magnetic flux, and possesses a certain degree of permanent magnetism in their ends which abute against the armatures. Suitable material can consist of so called magnet steel which has been case-hardened whereby the case-hardened surface functions as permanent magnet. Of course, instead the cores 30 of armatures 32 can be manufactured from magnet steeland thereafter be case-hardened. It is also possible to arrange a bit of permanent-magnetic material exactly opposite the associated solenoid whereby a permanent-magnetic core or a permanent-magnetic armature is unnecessary. In the last mentioned case armature 32 is maintained in its activated (attracted) position by remaining remanence in the core. In the present embodiment and which is evident from FIG. 3 each core 30 is formed as a screw, one end 30a of which is planer, attracts the associated armature 32 and the other end 30b of which, which is formed as a screw head with tapered end, maintains the. armature in the adjacent key row in its home position. It should, of course, be noted that the magnet flux produced by each solenoid S to attract the pertaining annature 32 is greater than the permanent magnetism in the end 30b of the adjacent core 30.

From the above description and the appended drawings it is evident that ten keys are arranged in each key row. The purpose with this is that a check always must be done whether none or one key has been depressed in each key row. If one key has been depressed in each key row, i.e., only one armature 32 has been attracted by a solenoid S, the information entered in this key row is regarded as being correctly entered. If, however, an attempt is made to depress twokeys, or if two or more armatures 32 due to vibrations, or due to a fault in the electric circuits, or in any other way have been moved into contact with associated solenoids S, which would mean that two digits can be entered in a key row, or if no key or armature 32 has been activated at all, which would mean that no digit at all is to be entered in a key row, a checking device will prevent the machine from being started. This is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

In FIG. 4a there is shown a key stem 34 in a non depressed position and in FIG. 4b there is shown another key stem 34 in the same key row which has been depressed. FIGS. 40 and 41) thus show a key row in which a key is depressed (FIG. 4b) while the remaining nine keys have not been depressed (one of those is thus shown in FIG. 4a), i.e., information has been correctly entered intothe machine. As is evident from FIG. 4a the lower edge of key stem 34 is on level 0 and projection 32c, which belongs to an unactivated armature 32, is situated to the right in the figure and contacts a step 34a. on the key-stem. From FIG. 4b it is evident that projection 32c, which belongs to an activated armature 32, is located at the left in the figure and contacts a step 34b on key stem 34 the lower edge of which being at a certain distance from level 0. The home position of projections 32c is on level 0 shown in FIG. 4. This position is shown by means of dashed lines.

When slides 36 are moved to the right in FIG. 2 projections 320 will be moved downwards as has been previously described. Thus, when stem 34 of the designed key has been depressed by projection 320 to a level which in this case is 4 mm under level 0 (FIG. 4b) the remaining key stems 34 of the keys in the same key row will thus remain in their home positions (FIG. 4a). Of course, projection 320 for the activated as well as for the unactivated armature 32 will be moved downwards the same distance but as is evident from FIG. 4a the projection of the unactivated armature which is to the right in the figure will contact the lower step 34a on key stem 34 and thus can not affect the key stem to be depressed.

When two or more armatures 32 have been activated in the same key row, which, for instance, could occur if the electric pulses sent to the keyboard unit 10 are faulty, the machine shall be prevented from being started by reasons mentioned above. This is shown in FIGS. 2 and 4c. When contemporaneously moving projections 32c downwards on one or more, i.e., faulty activated armatures 32, these projections will be to the left in FIG. 40 and try to depress two or more key stems via steps 34b. This is, however, not possible due to that between the upper keyboard plate 14 and a lower key: board plate 66, blocking links 64, 10 for each key row, are arranged. Blocking links 64 namely prevent two or more keys from being fully depressed simultaneously but allow one single key to be depressed in each key row. The operation for and the detailed construction of blocking links 64 are well known to a man skilled in the art and do not form any part of the present invention, but a closer analysis thereof can be obtained from US. Pat. No. 3.263.915, for istance. However, it should be mentioned that a step 54c on each key stem 54, when depressing the associated key, affects an arm 64a on the underlying blocking link 64 and that each blocking link has connection with the adjacent blocking link so that, for instance, when a key has been depressed completely (FIG. 4b) the associated blocking link affects all other blocking links in the same key row to prevent the remaining keys from being depressed, and that, when two or more keys are depressed simultaneously (FIG. 40), the blocking links only allow key stems 34 (54) to be depressed half the distance. Now, if two or more armatures 32 by mistake have been activated key stems 34 and 54 will thus be depressed downwards 2 mm be started as has been described above. Thus, if no projection 320 has been moved to the left in FIG. 4d all projections will contact the associated step 34a and move all keys in this key row downwards from the home position at level a distance equal to the distance which projections 32c can be moved downwards, which is 2 mm below level 0. If any key is moved downwards 2 mm below level 0 the machine can not be started, as has been described above.

The reason why the machine can not be started when a key stem 34 of a key in the keyboard has a position which is 2 mm below level 0 but can be started if a key stem of a key has a position which is 4 mm below level 0 will now be described in connection with FIG. 2.

In each key row a start slide 68 is journaled for longitudinal movement. Immediately after a starting key in the mode of operation bank has been activated start slide 68 receives a movement to the right in FIG. 2. If any of start slides 68 can not be moved to the right the machine can not be started and a new pulse train which is correct must be sent to the keyboard unit in order to start the machine. Each start slide 68 is for each key stem 54 is provided with a projection 680 formed as a hook and each key stem 54 is provided with a projection 54a. When key shaft 54 is not depressed (FIG. 4a) projection 68a will pass under projection 540 when start slide 68 is moved to the right, when key stem is completely depressed (4 mm in FIG. 4b) projection 680 will pass over projection 54a and when key stem is depressed half the distance (2 mm in FIGS. 40 and 4d) projection 68a will hit projection 54a and start slide 68 can not be moved to the right. Thus, when a projection 680 hits a projection 54a start slide 68 can not be moved to the right sufficiently to affect the starting device of the machine in order to initiate a machine cycle. Before a new puls train is sent to the keyboard unit 10 slide 56 restores the armatures 32 which had been faulty activated. Start slide 68, its location and its effect on the starting device, and the construction and operation of the starting device do not form a part of the present invention. Furthermore, as it is evident from the above mentioned US. Pat. No. 3,263,915 a further description thereof is not necessary.

The present invention further comprises a device which can set selected armatures 32 from the totalizers of the cash register, i.e., is able to move the armatures against the associated solenoid cores 30 in order that electric information shall be obtained as to which values had been stored in the totalizers when current is applied to the solenoids S by means of an electric circuit which will in described below. The electric representation of a value of a totalizer, listing or grand total totalizer, for instance, can be used to check if the value stored in the totalizer coincides with a corresponding value received by a central calculating unit, a so called sum check.

The device for setting armatures 32 in the positions represented by information stored in a totalizer, the grand total totalizer, for instance, comprises two yokes 70 and 72 in each key row (see FIG. 2) these yokes being turnably and axially displacably journaled on shaft 58 fastened to plates 18a and 18b. Each yoke 70 and 72 is provided with five projection or teeth 70a-e and-72a-e which can be set in front of projections 32d. Yokes 70 and 72 are, via their projections 70f, 72]", coupled to a rack 74 which is movable longitudinally. Rack 74 is shown in its home position in FIG. 2 and it is evident that tooth a is just in front of projection 32d belonging to the armature 32 which belongs to key T0. When rack 74 receives a movement to he right yokes 70 and 72 will also be moved to the right and will therefore set different projections 70a-e 72a-e just in front of projections 32b. On a shaft (one for each key row) mounted to yokes 76 and 78, which are fastened to the upper keyboard plate 14 there is tumably but not displacably journaled a yoke 82 which at its left end is provided with a roller 84 and which is provided with two projections 82a, 82b turned towards yokes 70, 72.

A shaft 86 controlled by the mode of operation, which only at the mode of operation when electric output of information stored in a totalizer shall be done, receives a clockwise, rotating movement. Connected thereto is a cam disc 88 with a bulge 88a. When bulge 88a hits roller 84 during rotation of shaft 86 yoke 82 is turned around shaft 80 whereby projections 82a and 82b receive a movement to the spectator of FIG. 2.

As is evident from FIG. 2 rack 74 is in its home position, i.e., the position 0, to the right left. In this position tooth 70a is situated just in front of projection 32d. Thus, when yoke 82 is turned by disc 88 projection 82a will hit the lower part 70g of yoke 70 and turn yoke 70 which, via tooth 70a, moves the armature 32 which belongs to solenoid S0 against its associated core 30, i.e., upwards in FIG. 3. Projection 82b on yoke 82, however, does not hit the lower part 72g of yoke 72 because yoke 72 has been moved to the right left in FIG. 2. If rack 74 is moved one step to the right tooth 70b will be set just in front of projection 32d on the armature 32 belonging to the solenoid S1 and, thus, this armature will be moved upwards in FIG. 3 to contact its core 30 when yoke 70 is turned by cam disc 88 via yoke 82. In this position tooth 70a will be at the side of the associated projection 32d. Likewise teeth 70c, 70d and 70e will be at the side of their associated projections 32d; nor will projection 82b affect the lower part 72g of yoke 72. When rack 74 has been moved two, three or four steps to the right, yoke 70 will, as has been previously described, be turned by projection 82a and affect the armature 32 which corresponds to the number of steps of rack 74 while projection 82b can not affect yoke 72. However, when rack 74 has been moved five steps to the right in FIG. 2 projection 82b will, during the turning of yoke 82, hit the lower part 72g of yoke 72 and turn this part so that tooth 72a will affect projection 32d which belongs to solenoid S5 to be moved upwards in FIG. 3. Any other tooth 72b, 72c, 72d and 72e will not be in front of any projections 32d. Also yoke 70 will not be turned because projection 82a is beside the lower part 70g of yoke 70. When rack 74 is moved five, six, seven, eight or nine steps to the right the corresponding tooth 72b, 72c, 72d and 72e, respectively, can affect the associated armature 32 while the remaining armatures reamin unaffected. Each rack 74 receives its movement by a gear 90 meshing with an indicator rack 92 (see FIG. 5) which is connected to one of the indicator wheels 8 (FIG. 1). In FIG. 5 there is shown how an indicator rack 92 in one amount now receives its movement by differential means comprising a counting rack 94 and one complemental rack 96, which are displacable parallel to each other. Racks 94 and 96 are provided with projections, which normally are moved into engagement with stems 54 on depressed keys T. The lower part of counting rack 94 is provided with a cog path which is intended to affect one or several of a number of totalizer gears on a totalizer 98 when this totalizer is in a raised position. Indicators and printing means (not shown) are controlled by racks 94 and 96 in dependence of their settings. The means for controlling the indicators and the printing means comprise indicator rack 92, which is displacably arranged between racks 94 and 96. Indicator rack 92 is.loosely coupled to racks 94 and 96 by means of suitable projections on the indicator rack which co-operate with projections on racks 94 and 96, and each indicator rack 92 controls, as has been mentioned above, a gear 90, which thus is set in accordance with the movement of the indicator rack.

During an operation cycle counting rack 94 is moved to the right to a position where it is stopped by a stem 54 of a depressed key T, and complemental rack 96 is moved to the left to a complemental position. During this movement projections on indicator rack 92 cooperate with the projections on racks 94 and 96 whereby the indicator rack 92 is moved to a position corresponding to the settings of racks 94 and 96. When counting rack 94 and indicator rack 96 are restored to their normal positions indicator rack 92 will remain in its position previously set because racks 94 and 96 are moved away from, the projections on indicatorrack 92.

Driving means for differential means 94, 96, 92 comprise, in each totalizer order, a pair of vertically arranged arms 100, 102, which are coupled to racks 94, 96, respectively. Arms 100, 102 have a common fixed journal point 104 and each is provided with a cam slot. A roller 106 mounted between two links 108 runs in the two cams slots. When links 108 are raised from the normal position (FIG. the upper ends of arms 100, 102 will be moved against each other whereby counting rack 94 is moved to the right and complemental rack 96 is moved to the left.

A driving unit for raising and lowering links 108 includes a pair of arms 110 situated at a distance from each other. Arms 110 are connected to each other and aremovably mounted on a shaft 112. A shaft 114 extends between the other ends of the arms. Links 108 are movably journaled on shaft 114. Only one pair of links 108 for a differential means has been shown on the drawings. It should, however, be noted that a pair of links 108 is arranged on each differential means. A cam follower 116 is fastened to one of arms 110 and co-operates with a cam disc 1 18 which comprises a pair of cams and which is fastened to the main shaft 120 of the machine. During an operation cycle cam disc 118 compels cam follower 116 to perform a reciprocating movement whereby links 108 receive a movement up and down.

The differential means in the mode of operation bank is essentially identical with the differential means previously described and, thus, a further description thereof should not be necessary. Because the differential means in the mode of operation bank does not cooperate with totalizers 98 the lower parts of these differential means are not provided with the cogs. The indicator rack in the mode of operation bank drives the type wheel 8 for the mode of operation in the same manner as has been described in connection in FIG. 5.

From the above description it is evident how the manually and electrically affected key stems 54 transfer information to totalizers 98 and how indicator racks 92 transfer this information to armatures 32. For a closer description oftotalizers 98, differential means 94, 96, 92 and control and driving means for these it is referred to in the above mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,263,915.

Briefly, the following operations'can be performed by the circuit shown in FIG. 6.

A. Input of information to the totalizer from the keyboard with some kind of optical reader.

B. Output of information from .the totalizers for transferring the information to some kind of central device for sum check or for making some kind of final operation.

C. Manual input of information. Here the cash register works as a terminal.

D. A control if an account number or something like that has been correctly registered, i.e., a CDV- control.

The solenoids in the keyboard 10 are connected together in a matrix of solenoids of which one part is shown at 122 in FIG. 6. Each solenoid S is connected via a diode 126 to a column conductor 128 which may be called key row conductor with reference to the preceding part of the specification, and is also connected to a row conductor or figure conductor 130. In the solenoid matrix l22only two column conductors 128 and three row conductors 130 are shown. The cash register according to this specification has actually several column conductors and row conductors. The connection between the solenoids S and the other components in p the circuit is performed on a coupling card 132 (see FIG. 3), one for each order in the cash register. To

- each one of the row conductors 130 a transistor circuit 132 is connected, the circuit being an amplifier and being connected to a decimal decoder 134, the amplifier being a figure drive circuit for transforming information stored in binary form in a memory (not shown) to decimal form. For making sure that the information in a row conductor or a figure conductor activates the right solenoid i.e., the information is being fed to the right order there is for each column, a column drive circuit 136 arranged. The column drive circuit is connected to a column decoder 140, via a DC-voltage switch and an amplifier 138 which decoder is connected with a binary to decimal converter (not shown), which is supplied with pulses in synchronism with the output of information from the figure conductors, which pulses are representative of the order where the information is to be fed and thereby also determines which column drive circuit is going to be activated. In connection with the solenoid matrix two circuits I42 and 144 are arranged. The purpose of the circuit 142' is to disconnect the circuit 144 during the information input period, according to point A above. The circuit 144 which is used for reading out of information is to be disconnected from ohter circuits during the period of input of information for making this input possible. This is achieved with a logical circuit 146 provided with an inverted output. During the mentioned time period of input of information, the circuit 146 is supplied with 'a positive voltage 5 volts in the shown embodiment),

which voltage causes a PNP-transistor T, belonging to the circuit 142, starts to conduct because the emitter voltage is 4 volts. Due to this fact and a voltage divider 148, 150 a second transistor T belonging to circuit 142 starts to conduct whereby a current path for the solenoid activating current is obtained through the transistor T and a diode 152.

During the period of output of information, according to point B above, a logical circuit 146 is supplied with a low voltage to its input lead 154 and this implies that the transistor T does not conduct and that a reading current is supplied to the reading circuit 144 via a conductor 156.

The method for input of information, according to point A, is now going to be described in more detail. The left column conductor 128 indicates the highest order of the cash register and the row conductor 130 situated at the bottom defines the FIG. 0. The input means of the cash register, which for instance can be an optical reading device designed for use in connection with a bar code of the kind described in the Swedish Pat. application as published for opposition No. 327,107, transform the information on the information carrier to 2 binary form for being stored in the memory, previously mentioned. If the number, 1, is to be transferred from the memory to the next to the highest order of the cash register, the solenoid S1 is going to be activated due to the fact that the circuits 132 and 136 are activated. The circuits 132 and 136 are figure and column drive circuits, respectively, and thus a closed current lope is provided through the transistor 132, the conductor 130, the diode 126, the solenoid S1, the transistor 136, the transistor T and the diode 152. This means that due to the activation of the solenoid S1, the armature means 32c will interfere with the shaft 34 and hereby cause that the number 1 is supplied to the totalizer.

The output of information, according to point B, is obtained in an inductive manner. As is described above information is mechanically transferred from a totalizer, for instance a grand total-totalizer, to the keyboard of the cash register. Armatures 32, representative of the information, are set so that they touch the core part 30a. When the information is going to be read out, the principle of which is going to be described below, the number and the column conductors are driven in the same manner as at the period of input of information. The inductance of a solenoid with an armature which is set is greater than the inductance for a solenoid with the armature not set (FIG. 3). The circuit for the reading out of information, 144, is a bridge circuit, one branch of the bridge is made up by the solenoids in the key-board, the solenoids are sequentially switched by the column drive circuits 136 and the number drive circuits 132 to the input conductor of a differential amplifier 158. This is achieved via a Zener diode 160 and resistors 162 and 164; the resistance of the resistors is great enough to prevent the armatures from being activated. The second branch of the bridge circuit is formed by a transistor circuit T3, a variable inductance 166 and a variable resistor 168, these devices are connected via a Zener diode and a resistor to the second input of the amplifier 158. Due to the fact that the variable inductance 166 and the resistor 168 are set so that the configuration for the circuit connected to the second input of the differential amplifier corresponds to the configuration for the circuit connected to the first input when the solenoids are not activated, makes it possible to determine at any time which is defined by a pulse 162 being fed to a logical circuit 160, if the armature 32 is activated so that it makes contact with the part 30a of the solenoid core. If the armature of the solenoid S has been activated the inductance of the solenoid is greater than when the armature is not activated. This is due to the fact that the parts 300 of the solenoid cores are in contact with the armatures and this results in more iron being active in the circuit. This causes the voltage at the first input of the differential amplifier to increase slower than the voltage at the second input. To this second input an inductance with a magnitude corresponding to the inductance of a not activated solenoid is connected. The time for producing the pulse 162 is chosen so that a maximum of the difference between the voltages at the two inputs of the differential amplifier is achieved. The transistor circuit T3 causes that the bridge circuit obtaines a variable reference level which results in that the operation of the amplifier is not disturbed due to changes in the supply voltage for the column figure drive circuits.

The described circuit 144 for reading out of information can be used in connection with manually supplied information to the keys in the keyboard. On each keyshaft 34 is arranged a shim 170 (see FIG. 2 and 3) which comes in contact with the part 30a of the solenoid core 30 when the key T is pushed. In this case a reading out of information is obtained in the same inductive manner as described earlier. The reading is achieved with the solenoid matrix 122, the drive circuits and the same reading out circuits. Thus manually provided information can be transferred from the solenoid matrix in the same manner and this transfer can be made to a central unit without the need of further circuits or mechanical connections.

Due to the shim 170 it is also possible to perform the previously mentioned CDV-function. This CDV- function is a kind of control of a number which can be an account number or anything like that and the control is made to ascertain the number is correct. For this purpose an additional figure, a so called control figure is used. For making sure that the number is correct a calculator performing mathematical operations can be used. The device for making these operations and the operations can be of different kinds and as they are not a part of this invention they are therefore not described. In an embodiment, the so called modulus 11 system is used and hereby the used number is formed of a number of figures each being multiplied with a certain number. The so partial sums obtained are added and from this sum the control figure is obtained as a complementary number to the next highest with 11 as the dividable number.

The electric circuit according to FIG. 6 together with co-operating mechanical system is extremely flexible and useful for different types of operations, which operations in cash registers or accounting machines according to prior art needed complicated circuits and circuits separated from each other and each having a special function.

We claim:

1. A device for entering information in a counting business machine by means of electric pulsescomprising:

a keyboard having key stems arranged in orders,

a plurality of solenoids, each being arranged in operative connection with each key stem,

a plurality of armatures, each armature having a first portion, and arranged to cooperate with each of said solenoids so that when the solenoid is energized the armature is attracted by the solenoid to set said first portion in an operative connection with its associated key stem, and

actuating means, coupled to said armature, for moving every set first portion to activate its associated key stem.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the first portion includes a projection on the armature which, when the actuating means is activated, depresses its associated key stem.

3.. The device of claim 1 wherein the armature includes a secondandthird portion and which is turnably mounted around the connection line through said second and third portions, the second portion being fixed in the machine and the third portion being connected to the actuating means for movement therewith.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the actuating means includes at least one slide means which receives a longitudinal, reciprocating movement during each machine cycle.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein the third portion is fixedly arranged to the machine, and wherein said actuating means includes spring means between the slide mean and third portion, arranged to pull the slide means against the first portion of said armature which is set and to restore the slide to its previous position.

6. The device of claim 1 further including a restoring means, connected to said armatures, for restoring the attracted armatures to a position wherein they are no longer attracted to said solenoids, said restoring means comprising a turnable slide extending over all the solenoids in one decade.

7. The device of'claim 1 wherein each solenoid comprises a core means for retaining the associated armature in an attracted positionwithout any excitation current being applied to the solenoid.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein each core means extends on two sides of its associated solenoid and wherein the core means of the solenoid of the corresponding digit position in the adjacent order constitutes a stop so that the armature by means of the permanent magnetism of the core means is retained in a position apart from the position in which the armature is in contact with the associated solenoid and such that the current sent to the associated solenoid generates a magnetic flux in the air gap between its core means and the armature which is greater than and opposite to the permanent magnetic flux in said air gap.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein each order includes ten key stems and further includes a checking means for informing the machine not to start if more than one or no key stems in the same order have been depressed.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein each key stem includes a first step and a second step, the first step cooperating with the first portion of the armature when the associated solenoid is activated and the second step cooperating with the first portion of the armature when the associated solenoid is notactivated, whereby, when two or more key stems are forced into depressed position, the first portion affects the first step so that the key stems are depressed a certain distance and whereby, when no'key stem is set to a depressed position, the first portion'affects the second step on at least one of the key stems so that the last mentioned key stem is depressed a certain distance, thereby preventing the machine from being started.

11. A device for reading outinformation from the totalizers of a counting business machine by means of electric pulses comprising: i

a plurality of solenoids arranged in orders in the machine, 1

a plurality of armatures, each armature cooperating with an associated solenoid,

a transferring means for transferring information stored in the totalizer to the armatures whereby they are set to positions which are operative in relation' to the solenoids, and which represent the information.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein the positions of the armatures representing the information consists of contact or no contact with the associated solenoids, and

further including electric circuit sensing means for sensing the inductance of the solenoids after the information has been transferred to the armatures.

13. The device of claim 11 wherein the transferring means in each order comprises at least one slide means which is movable in a longitudinal direction and which is moved a distance representing the information stored in the corresponding order of the totalizer.

14. The device of claim 13 wherein the slide means is provided with a plurality of parts only one of which is able to operate an associated armature during a machine cycle.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein there is at least two slide means, each of said slide means being turnably mounted for operation of a number of armatures in one order by means of the plurality of parts, and

further including a selecting means, controlled by the mode of operation, for actuating one of the slide means.

16. The device of claim 11 wherein the transferring means comprise normally operating means for the totalizer.

117. A device for handling information in connection with a counting business machine having a keyboard comprising:

key shaft means in said keyboard,

a plurality of solenoids, each solenoid being associated with a key shaft means,

said key shaft means having shims of ferromagnetic material arranged thereon so that when said key shaft means are depressed they cooperate with said associated solenoids to change their inductance.

18. The device of claim 12 further including row and column drive circuit means, connected to each solenoid, for sequentially switching the solenoids to said electric circuit sensing means.

19. The device of claim 18 wherein said electric circuit sensing means includes a bridge circuit having two branches, the first branch having the solenoids sequentially switched thereto and the other branch being connected to a variable inductance means whose magnitude corresponds to the inductance of a solenoid whose armature is energized.

20. The device of claim 19 further including a sequentially switched reference voltage source, which is connected to the second branch of said bridge circuit, said referenced voltage magnitude corresponding to the voltage of the row and the column drive circuit means, respectively.

21. The device of claim 19 wherein said sensing means includes a differential amplifier means which is connected to the branches of the bridge circuit,

logic circuit means, the output of the differential ammeans a voltage pulse when a maximum difference plifier being connected to one input lead of said between the voltages supplied to the two input logic circuit means, and leads of the differential amplifier exists. coupling means for providing to said logic circuit 

1. A device for entering information in a counting business machine by means of electric pulses comprising: a Keyboard having key stems arranged in orders, a plurality of solenoids, each being arranged in operative connection with each key stem, a plurality of armatures, each armature having a first portion, and arranged to cooperate with each of said solenoids so that when the solenoid is energized the armature is attracted by the solenoid to set said first portion in an operative connection with its associated key stem, and actuating means, coupled to said armature, for moving every set first portion to activate its associated key stem.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein the first portion includes a projection on the armature which, when the actuating means is activated, depresses its associated key stem.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein the armature includes a second and third portion and which is turnably mounted around the connection line through said second and third portions, the second portion being fixed in the machine and the third portion being connected to the actuating means for movement therewith.
 4. The device of claim 1 wherein the actuating means includes at least one slide means which receives a longitudinal, reciprocating movement during each machine cycle.
 5. The device of claim 4 wherein the third portion is fixedly arranged to the machine, and wherein said actuating means includes spring means between the slide mean and third portion, arranged to pull the slide means against the first portion of said armature which is set and to restore the slide to its previous position.
 6. The device of claim 1 further including a restoring means, connected to said armatures, for restoring the attracted armatures to a position wherein they are no longer attracted to said solenoids, said restoring means comprising a turnable slide extending over all the solenoids in one decade.
 7. The device of claim 1 wherein each solenoid comprises a core means for retaining the associated armature in an attracted position without any excitation current being applied to the solenoid.
 8. The device of claim 7 wherein each core means extends on two sides of its associated solenoid and wherein the core means of the solenoid of the corresponding digit position in the adjacent order constitutes a stop so that the armature by means of the permanent magnetism of the core means is retained in a position apart from the position in which the armature is in contact with the associated solenoid and such that the current sent to the associated solenoid generates a magnetic flux in the air gap between its core means and the armature which is greater than and opposite to the permanent magnetic flux in said air gap.
 9. The device of claim 1 wherein each order includes ten key stems and further includes a checking means for informing the machine not to start if more than one or no key stems in the same order have been depressed.
 10. The device of claim 9 wherein each key stem includes a first step and a second step, the first step cooperating with the first portion of the armature when the associated solenoid is activated and the second step cooperating with the first portion of the armature when the associated solenoid is not activated, whereby, when two or more key stems are forced into depressed position, the first portion affects the first step so that the key stems are depressed a certain distance and whereby, when no key stem is set to a depressed position, the first portion affects the second step on at least one of the key stems so that the last mentioned key stem is depressed a certain distance, thereby preventing the machine from being started.
 11. A device for reading out information from the totalizers of a counting business machine by means of electric pulses comprising: a plurality of solenoids arranged in orders in the machine, a plurality of armatures, each armature cooperating with an associated solenoid, a transferring means for transferring information stored in the totalizer to the armatures whereby they are set to positions which Are operative in relation to the solenoids, and which represent the information.
 12. The device of claim 11 wherein the positions of the armatures representing the information consists of contact or no contact with the associated solenoids, and further including electric circuit sensing means for sensing the inductance of the solenoids after the information has been transferred to the armatures.
 13. The device of claim 11 wherein the transferring means in each order comprises at least one slide means which is movable in a longitudinal direction and which is moved a distance representing the information stored in the corresponding order of the totalizer.
 14. The device of claim 13 wherein the slide means is provided with a plurality of parts only one of which is able to operate an associated armature during a machine cycle.
 15. The device of claim 14 wherein there is at least two slide means, each of said slide means being turnably mounted for operation of a number of armatures in one order by means of the plurality of parts, and further including a selecting means, controlled by the mode of operation, for actuating one of the slide means.
 16. The device of claim 11 wherein the transferring means comprise normally operating means for the totalizer.
 17. A device for handling information in connection with a counting business machine having a keyboard comprising: key shaft means in said keyboard, a plurality of solenoids, each solenoid being associated with a key shaft means, said key shaft means having shims of ferromagnetic material arranged thereon so that when said key shaft means are depressed they cooperate with said associated solenoids to change their inductance.
 18. The device of claim 12 further including row and column drive circuit means, connected to each solenoid, for sequentially switching the solenoids to said electric circuit sensing means.
 19. The device of claim 18 wherein said electric circuit sensing means includes a bridge circuit having two branches, the first branch having the solenoids sequentially switched thereto and the other branch being connected to a variable inductance means whose magnitude corresponds to the inductance of a solenoid whose armature is energized.
 20. The device of claim 19 further including a sequentially switched reference voltage source, which is connected to the second branch of said bridge circuit, said referenced voltage magnitude corresponding to the voltage of the row and the column drive circuit means, respectively.
 21. The device of claim 19 wherein said sensing means includes a differential amplifier means which is connected to the branches of the bridge circuit, logic circuit means, the output of the differential amplifier being connected to one input lead of said logic circuit means, and coupling means for providing to said logic circuit means a voltage pulse when a maximum difference between the voltages supplied to the two input leads of the differential amplifier exists. 